Beaufort slated for Joint Strike Fighter squadrons, new report says

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort could get two Joint Strike Fighter pilot training squadrons and three active-duty squadrons, according to a Navyreport released today.

The Navy released its draft environmental statement, detailing how 11 operational squadrons and two training squadrons would be divided between the MCAS Beaufort and MCAS Cherry Point.

To prepare for the arrival of the new jet, the report estimated the base would need to undergo $351.8 million in infrastructure improvements, includingbuilding the pilot training center and new flight simulators. The work could create as many as 1,345 jobs, the report said.